AmaWaterways, a major operator of European river cruises, is expanding into a new market with the first-ever cruises along Colombia’s Magdalena River, which stretches for a thousand miles from high in the Andes to the Atlantic Coast.
Itineraries along the river, which has been compared both to the Mississippi and the Rhine, will debut in March 2024. There will be two itineraries, both stretching from Cartagena to Barranquilla, for seven nights. Both include the colonial city of Santa Cruz de Mompox, a UNESCO World Heritage site and San Basilio de Palenque, the first town in South America founded by former slaves, as well as opportunities for birdwatchers and more.
The cruises will use two purpose-built ships, AmaMagdalena and AmaMelodia, each with room for about 60 guests. They are smaller versions of the 26 ships AmaWaterways operates in Europe.
